Episode 92: Leonard Cohen and Saint Paul - with Matthew Anderson
Is the essence of Christianity basically Judaism through a Zen lens? Can we understand some great artists and theologians better if we assume performative masculinity? Is there really a crack in everything? Is it where the light gets in?
In Episode 92 of Beer Christianity, we answer these and other important questions (like: Is later Leonard Cohen better than his earlier oeuvre? Is Avalanche the most devastatingly romantic song in history? Do you know what I'm thinking and who does vengeance belong to?) with Matthew Anderson, Pauline scholar, Leonard Cohen aficionado and author of Prophets of Love: The Unlikely Kinship of Leonard Cohen and the Apostle Paul.
If you love Leonard Cohen’s work or are interested in why so many people find it so powerful, or if you just find the intersection of spirituality and popular art interesting, you’re going to like this episode and you’ll love Matthew’s book.
Also, if you want to hear some of the songs we mentioned (and some we didn’t) get your sweet ass over to Spotify and listen, nay follow the playlist we made: Leonard Cohen For Listeners. It’s cool. And tell us if we’ve missed any good ones via insta or our email (beerchristianity [attt] yahoo [dottt] com).
You can listen to Episode 92 anywhere: in a big elevator, observing a child stumbling (you know: watching a minor fall in a major lift); at Suzanne’s place by the river; in your famous blue raincoat, holding onto Marianne like she’s a crucifix; or right here…
Here are some of Jonty’s favourite Leonard Cohen lines:
“You want to live where the suffering is. I want to get out of town. Come on, baby, give me a kiss. Stop writing everything down.” - Different Sides
“Tell me again when the victims are singing and the laws of remorse are restored. Tell me again that you know what I’m thinking, but vengeance belongs to the Lord.” - Amen
“I have begun to long for you. I who have no greed. I have begun to ask for you. I who have no need. You say you've gone away from me, but I can feel you when you breathe.” - Avalanche
New to Beer Christianity? Hallelujah.
Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.
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There's also a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and random chat.
Other things…
Malky’s design work has graced many good magazines and music videos. You can find his stuff and even commission him if he’s not too busy, here. Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not literature but it’s quite fun if you like Supernatural, Africa or the Goth scene.
We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be, while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.